GENERAL STATEMENT

More than 300 wetland scientists and practitioners travelled from 27 countries to the beautiful city of Huesca (Spain) to discuss, debate and, most importantly, to celebrate wetlands.
Informal debates, individual presentations and panel discussions have highlighted the importance of the wise use of wetlands and the key role they play in maintaining human wellbeing across Europe and beyond.

The IXth European Wetland Congress of the Europe Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists, held in collaboration with the European Pond Conservation Network, highlighted the continued degradation and loss of wetlands and emphasize the need for better protection, enhanced cooperation across sectors and improved integration of the multiple values of wetlands in decision-making. The challenge remains for the political will of governments to match the quality of wetland science and the ambition of wetland scientists.

CONCLUSIONS

-Wetlands play magnificient roles and provide key services to the society. As 50% of the wetland area of the world were desiccated or seriously disturbed during the last century, restoration and creation of wetlands is a task and a challenge ahead to recover and increase the functions and services they provide.

-Wetland functions contribute to improve the water quality in rural landscapes, so providing a key service to improve the quality of surface and groundwaters.

-Farmers and wetlanders working together have demonstrated that wetlands can contribute to their socio-ecological development. It is, farmers in rural environments can have part of their activities and incomes working to preserve and enhance wetland functions and services at landscape scale.

- Once we have demonstrated the great value of wetlands and their biodiversity to stimulate the socio-ecological development, it is suggested to incorporate wetland conservation, restoration and creation as usual activities in development planning.